That was some decent exposure, so perhaps some more European clubs may become interested if he still wants to make the move.
Quick update: Dan has played all 14 of Vegalta Sendai's league matches this season He was also called up for Japan's March friendlies and pitched a shutout against Bolivia He's also been called up for the June friendlies (vs. T&T and El Salvador), but left out for the Copa América, to which Japan is sending a young squad including 2 J-League rookie GKs A report links Schmidt to a possible transfer to Sint-Truidense VV of Belgium, who have hoarded on young Japanese players (fielding 5 in the most recent matchday 18) after the club was purchased by a Japanese online porn company (really, no joke). Ryo Germain continues to get minutes as an attacker, netting 3 goals in 15 matches in all competitions so far this season.
Looks like Dan Schmidt is off to Belgium. He just shut out the 1st-place FC Tokyo yesterday, and new reports suggest that Sint-Truiden and Vegalta Sendai are near an agreement. Sendai for their part have lined up a replacement keeper from Poland. I guess we'll see some Yank-vs-Yank GK action when Brugge plays STVV?
https://www.stvv.com/nl/nieuws/a-kern/mondeling-akkoord-tussen-stvv-vegalta-sendai-en-daniel-schmidt Officially a member of Sint-Truiden
Dan makes his Belgian debut in a Yank GK derby against Ethan Horvath’s Club Brugge, giving up 6 goals in a nightmare shutout loss.
Ryo Germain scores in the 3rd minute of the J1 League's return to action to hand Vegalta Sendai a 1-0 away win against Shonan Bellmare. Btw the commentary is kinda funny. "Germain Ryo's cross goes a bit off target....no, it's ended up in the net!!! Bellmare concede early! A brilliant chipped strike delivered by Germain Ryo!!!" He commented that "to be honest, that was meant to be a cross, but I'd like to think my aggressiveness created the goal." Ryo also noted that this was his first game playing in Shonan's stadium, located near his hometown of Atsugi, also home to a large US Navy air base (not sure if that has anything to do with his background).
Dan Schmidt returned to action today with veteran Kenny Steppe out due to a leg issue, as STVV snapped a 9-game winless streak by shutting out Belgian giants Standard Liége. BTW this is an old video, but this English interview with Schmidt hints at his American roots - definitely a bigger vocabulary and a more American accent than the average Japanese person.
You can't get more American than playing soccer against Mexico! 1328774941110484992 is not a valid tweet id
It's not often that I learn about a YA from an ESPN broadcast. On as a halftime sub against the US in a friendly in Dusseldorf. Really hits all 3 points of his background. (US born, German father, Japanese mother)
Hey @naopon, you never started a thread for Ryo Germain! Looks like he's now at Jubilo Iwata. https://www.jubilo-iwata.co.jp/eng/season/player/2022/
So I think the "German father" part is actually just an incorrect Wikipedia reference - in reality I think Dan's father is just a regular Midwestern white dude with German heritage. I spoke with Dan once and he said he'd definitely consider playing in MLS in the future "since it'd make my dad happy". He's had strong performances in Belgium over the past year and probably deserves a consideration to start in Qatar.
Schmidt started against Ecuador and likely has his boarding pass for Qatar downloaded on his phone at this point, making a number of big saves including a penalty to salvage a scoreless draw for Japan.
Has officially made Japan's World Cup 26-man roster https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...ernational-soccer/japan-2022-world-cup-squad/
Schmidt did not appear in any of Japan's 4 matches at the World Cup, but here is a short profile introducing his family background. His dad Kenneth, a native Nebraskan, teaches English at a university in Dan's hometown Sendai, while his mother Toyoko likewise teaches English at another college.
Schmidt is now at St. Truiden in Belgium. After 15 league matches, he has played 4 of them and is the #2 keeper at the club. The club owners are Japanese and have brought over numerous Japanese players and renamed the stadium to include the word Wasabi! @dark knight, can you please change the thread title to be "Daniel Schmidt at Sint Truiden". Thanks.
The situation with Schmidt is that he was set for a transfer to Metz which fell through at the last minute due to an undisclosed issue on the medical check. By that time STVV had already brought in Zion Suzuki to be their future no. 1, leaving Dan in limbo and out of the squad plans, and the club was infuriated at Metz suspecting that the "failed medical" was simply BS cover for "we changed our mind because our outgoing GK sale fell through".
@naopon thanks, I forgot that. I do remember that situation when it happened. I would not be surprised if he moves this winter transfer window.
Molenbeek vs St. Truiden 12:15 EST Not on ESPN + Schmidt could be the backup, a spot he has occupied much of the season so far.